Top Tips

Back to News

How to apply through clearing

Start your journey into higher education with our handy step-by-step guide. 

Clearing matches students with no offers to places on university courses that haven't been filled. Clearing is a good option for undergraduate applicants that decide to change course after receiving their results or didn't achieve the conditions for their firm and insurance choice on UCAS. Clearing runs from July to October every year, enabling students to find a course that’s right for them.

You can go through clearing if:

  • You have a UCAS undergraduate application with no offers
  • Your exam results have been published
  • You apply within the clearing dates for 2022 entry.

Here is our handy step by step guide so you know what to expect.

1. Choose your course from our clearing vacancies

Firstly, find your perfect course from our wide range of qualifications covering subject areas including:  

  • The Arden School of Theatre and Performing Arts
  • Business and management
  • Computing
  • Construction and the Built Environment
  • Creative Arts and Digital Media
  • Criminology and Social Justice
  • Health and Care Professions
  • Make-Up Artistry and Special effects
  • The Manchester Film School
  • Sport and Exercise Science
  • Teacher Education
  • Access to Higher Education

All Clearing vacancies are listed on the UCAS search tool and our Clearing page from July. You can also contact us directly on our dedicated clearing line at 0161 674 7777 to discuss the courses we offer.

2. Contact the dedicated clearing hotline

You can only apply for one course at a time through clearing so you should take the time to find out if it’s right for you before applying.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred course, call our dedicated clearing hotline 0161 674 7777 and speak to one of our friendly team. Be sure to have details of any qualifications you’ve gained or are currently studying for, such as GCSEs, A-Levels, T Levels and BTECs, and the reasons why you want to study on that particular course. (For Access to Higher Education, Professional, Teacher Education and Construction courses call 03333 222 444 instead).

This will help you understand if the course is right for you and if you’re likely to be accepted through clearing. 

3. Select your clearing choice through UCAS

Log in to UCAS Track to get your unique clearing number and select us as your clearing choice. If we make you an offer, you will need to use UCAS Track to accept.

Apply for clearing directly through UCEN Manchester

If you’ve not made any applications through UCAS and aren’t planning to apply to any other university you can contact us directly and we’ll support you in filling out a direct application instead.

4. Course Interview

Even when applying through clearing we might ask you to make time for an interview or audition if we can’t do it over the phone, but we’ll give you all the information you need for this so that you’re ready.

5. Confirmation

We’ll send you a confirmation email including any further conditions of your offer and details on how to enrol. 

Congratulations, you’re good to go! We can’t wait to welcome you to UCEN Manchester in September.
 

Things to remember about clearing

  • Talk to your careers advisers at your school or college to discuss your options
  • You can apply through clearing any time after clearing opens, however, we won’t be able to confirm your place until you have your exam results. 
  • Keep our dedicated clearing hotline 0161 674 7777 to hand
  • Be prepared, keep calm, you’ve got this!